Secure Resealable Container Closure

ABSTRACT

A closure including a crown member, a base member attached to the crown member, the base member having a partially frangible member and a tap member retained by the crown member and base member. The crown member is configured to move axially with respect to the base member.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosed embodiments relate to container closures and, moreparticularly, to resealable container closures.

2. Brief Description of Related Developments

Conventional methods for tamper proofing a resealable container closuresuch as a pull/push top closure include wrapping the top of the closurewith some kind of material. For example, conventional pull/push topclosures are wrapped with a plastic shrink-wrap or cellophane. When thewrapping is removed or partially removed a consumer knows that the topand possibly the contents of the container the top is affixed to havebeen tampered with. During transport of the containers the shrink-wrapor foil over the pull/push top closures may become damaged and/or tornoff leading a consumer to think the container has been tampered with orbecomes removed entirely which leaves no indication that the package mayhave been tampered with.

Other tamper evident features used in conventional pull/push topclosures include foil over the bottle openings and frangible securityrings that separate from the cap as the cap is twisted or unscrewed offa container. Having security features that are separate from thecontainer closure add another step to the processing of the containerand its contents and are not readily visible at time of purchase.

It would be advantageous to have a pull/push container closure with anintegral security/tamper evident feature.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the disclosed embodiments relate to a method for openinga closure. The method includes rotating a crown member of a closure,depressing the crown member toward a base member of the closure andpiercing at least one frangible segment of a partially frangible memberof the base member.

In another aspect, the disclosed embodiments relate to a closure system.In one embodiment, the closure system includes a crown member, a basemember attached to the crown member, the base member having a partiallyfrangible member and a tap member retained by the crown member and basemember. The crown member is configured to move axially with respect tothe base member.

In a further aspect, the disclosed embodiments relate to a closuresystem. In one embodiment, the closure system includes a base member anda crown member slidably engaged with the base member. The crown memberis configured to drive a tap member through a partially frangible memberof the base member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and other features of the disclosed embodimentsare explained in the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a closure assembly in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the closure assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a closure in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the closure in FIG. 3 in an actuatedclosed configuration;

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the closure of FIG. 3 in an openconfiguration;

FIG. 6 shows an exploded sectional view of the closure of FIG. 3 inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram in accordance with a method of an exemplaryembodiment;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an exploded sectional view of a closure inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows a cut-away isometric view of the closure in FIGS. 8A and 8Bin accordance with an embodiment in a first configuration; and

FIG. 10 shows a cut-away isometric view of a closure FIGS. 8A and 8B inaccordance with an embodiment in a second configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1 illustrates a closure in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.Although aspects of the invention will be described with reference tothe embodiments shown in the drawings and described below, it should beunderstood that these aspects could be embodied in many alternate formsof embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type ofelements or materials could be used.

The resealable pull-up style closure assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1 mayinclude a crown assembly 4 and a base or bottom member 2. The crownassembly 4 may generally include a crown or top member 5, a tamperevidence band 6 and a tap member 3. It is noted that the embodimentsdescribed herein may be employed not just for the beverage industry butwith other industries as well. These other industries include, forexample, the personal hygiene industry (e.g. mouthwash, shampoo, etc.),the home and auto industry (e.g. cleaning products, air fresheners,etc.), the food industry (e.g. condiments, sauces, spices, seasonings,etc) and chemical and pharmaceutical industries (e.g. reagents, dietarysupplements, etc.). The closure may have any suitable shapecorresponding to, for example, the mouth or opening of an attachedcontainer.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the base member 2 of the closureassembly 1 may include a top face 12 having skirt 7 extending therefromin a longitudinal direction that extends from the top of the closureassembly 1 to the bottom of the closure assembly 1. In alternateembodiments, the base member 2 may also include a tamper evidencefeature, that may be similar to the band 6, or any other suitable tamperevidence feature that engages the container to indicate whether theclosure 1 has been removed from the container. In the figures the skirt7 is shown as being cylindrical or having a circular cross-section butin alternate embodiments, the skirt 7 may have any suitable shape suchas, for example, square, rectangular, triangular, oval, etc. The skirt 7may have an opening forming a cavity so that the closure assembly 1 canbe removably engaged with a container. The cavity of the skirt 7 mayhave any suitable features to affix the closure 1 to a container suchas, for example, thread elements 39. In alternate embodiments, theclosure assembly 1 may be attached to a container in any suitablemanner, such as for example, with snaps, locking tabs and the like. Inother alternate embodiments, the base member 2 may have contact portionsto substantially seal between the closure assembly 1 and the container.In still other alternate embodiments, the crown member 5 may beremovably engaged to the container while the base member 2 remainsaffixed or is of unitary construction with the container.

Opposite the skirt 7, the base member 2 may also include a skirtextension 43 extending longitudinally from the top face 12 towards thetop of the closure 1. The skirt extension 43 is shown in the drawings asbeing cylindrical (e.g. with a circular cross-section) but in alternateembodiments, the skirt extension 43 may have any suitablecross-sectional shape such as square, rectangular, triangular, oval,etc. The skirt extension 43 may include a partially frangible member 8having partially frangible segments 9 with frangement pathways 11. Thepartially frangible segments 9 may be initially pierced by a frangementwedge 24 of the tap 3 and further split by the continued advancement ofthe tap 3 and crown 5 in the direction of arrow A towards the face 12 ofthe base 2. Split segments 9 of the frangible member 8 may remainattached to the base member 2 via a living hinge 10 (See also FIG. 4)while not interfering with the release of the container contents throughthe closure assembly 1. In alternate embodiments, the partiallyfrangible segments 9 may be contained from being released into thecontents of the container in any suitable manner. The skirt extension 43may also include a tamper evidence bead 13 for retaining the tamperevidence band 6 as will be described below and a ramped surface 16 whichmay aid in the assembly of the closure 1.

The skirt extension 43 may contact a portion of the tap 3 and/or otheralignment portion of the crown member 5 and provide retention andguidance of the crown member 5 before, during and after actuation. Theinner surface of the extension 43 above the surface 12 of the basemember 2 may include a ledge 19 and rotation resistance features 17which may retain the tap 3 until deliberate actuation. In alternateembodiments, retention of the tap may be provided in any suitablemanner. Longitudinal grooves 18 on the inner surface of the extension 43may guide the tap 3 during engagement and piercing of the partiallyfrangible member 8. A groove 20 on the skirt extension 43 may retain thetap flange 21 upon actuation as shown in FIG. 5. In alternateembodiments, the tap flange 21 may be retained in any suitable mannersuch as for example, by snaps.

The tap 3 may include a wall 29 which may be notched 25 at the endengaging the partially frangible member 8 and is bridged 26 at theopposite end with a stopper feature 27 projecting above the bridge 26.The wall 29 is shown in the Figures as being cylindrical (e.g. with acircular cross-section) but in alternate embodiments, the tap wall mayhave any suitable cross-sectional shape such as square, rectangular,triangular, oval, etc. The wall 29 may provide a channel 28 for thecontents of a container to pass out of the container closure 1. A flange21 perpendicular to and positioned along the longitudinal axis of thetap 3 may be seated on ledge 19 of the base member 2 before actuationand retained after actuation in the groove 20. Tabs 22 projectingradially from the flange 21 may engage a rotation-resistance feature 38on the base member 2 before actuation and engage longitudinal grooves 18in the base member 2 when the tap is advanced longitudinally in thedirection of arrow A (towards the surface 12 of the base member 2) topuncture the frangible member 8. Longitudinal ribs 23 project upwardfrom the flange 21 to provide orientation and alignment of the crownmember 5 when opening the closure 1 to release the container contents orwhen resealing the closure 1. In alternate embodiments, orientation andalignment of the crown member 5 may be provided in any suitable manner.

The crown or top member 5 may include a top disc portion 31 from whichan outer skirt 34 and an inner crown guidance skirt 33 extend. The crown5 may include an orifice 30 for container content egress. The outerskirt 34 includes externally protruding features 32 which may improvegrip and reduce choking hazard, and an integrally molded frangibletamper evidence feature 6 which extends below the skirt 34. Duringassembly, the teeth 42 of the frangible member 6 engage complementaryteeth 14 of the base member 2. Tabs 35 of the crown 5 may engage recess15 in extension 43 so that tabs 35 and contact pads 37 of the basemember 2 may resist axial load before actuation. In alternateembodiments, the axial load may be resisted in any suitable manner suchas, for example, by snaps, a frangible connection and the like.Longitudinal grooves 41 on the inner surface of the inner skirt 33engage ribs 23 on the tap 3 providing torque transfer to and alignmentwith the tap 3 during actuation of the resealable pull-up closurefeature. In alternate embodiments, torque transfer and alignment of thecrown 5 may be provided in any suitable manner such as, for example, bytabs, friction, etc.

Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5, the resealable pull-up closure featuremay be actuated by rotating the crown 5 until stopped by the contact ofthe tap tab 22 with the base member groove 18, which action also orientsthe tabs 35 with relieved surfaces 40 over which tabs 35 maylongitudinally pass (FIG. 7, Block 700). The resistance of this rotationby engagement of the teeth 14, 42 subsequently shears the integrallymolded or mechanically formed frangible webs 36 which had connected thecrown 5 and the tamper evidence feature 6. The crown 5 may be depressedlongitudinally by, for example, a uniform motion, by impact force or thelike in the direction of arrow A until physically stopped by the contactof the tap 3 flange 21 with the partially frangible member 8 (FIG. 7,Block 710). This action drives the detached band 6 over the bead 13 andthe pads 42 over the reliefs 40 making both non-retractable to theiroriginal position. The force of driving the crown 5 in the direction ofarrow A may be transferred to the tap 3 and to the frangement wedges 24through, for example, the inner skirt 33 and flange 21 so that thefrangement wedges 24 are thereby driven through the partially frangiblemember 8. The notch 25 may permanently hold open the partially frangiblemember sections 9.

The frangement wedges 24 may be driven through the partially frangiblemember 8, by for example, an impact force or uniform movement of thecrown 5 (e.g. providing either a sudden or steady force sufficient tomove the crown and to fracture the partially frangible member), so thatthe partially frangible member 8 is pierced by the frangement wedges 24at frangement pathways 11 and further split by the continued advancementof the inner skirt 33 of the crown 5 (FIG. 7, Block 720). Split segments9 of the partially frangible member 8 may remain attached to the member8 by means of a flexible shoulder 10, while not interfering with therelease of the container contents. It should be realized that drivingthe detached band 6 over the bead 13 and piercing the partiallyfrangible member 8 may be performed in one motion.

The contents of the container or package to which the closure assembly 1is affixed may be released by axially retracting the crown 5 untilstopped by the interaction of contact of pads 35 with the underside ofthe teeth 14, and the package is resealed by depressing the crown 5until stopped (FIG. 7, Block 730).

The crown 5, base 2 and tap 3 may be formed in any suitable manner suchas, for example, by injection or compression molding. The crown 5, base,2 and tap members may be made of any suitable material or combination ofmaterials such as, for example, plastic, which may provide adequatemechanical functionality and seal characteristics for the closureassembly 1. The crown 5, base 2 and tap 3 may each be made fromdifferent materials, the same materials or any combination thereof. Inalternate embodiments, the each of the crown 5, base 2 and tap 3 may befrom a combination of materials through processes such as, for example,overmolding, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-10, a resealable pull-up style closure 1′ isshown in accordance with another exemplary embodiment. The closure 1′may include a crown 5′, a tamper evidence band 6′, a shutoff or tapmember 31 and a bottom or base member 21.

The base member 21 of the closure 1′ may include a top face 12′ havingskirt 7′ extending therefrom in a longitudinal direction that extendsfrom the top of the closure 1′ to the bottom of the closure 1′. Inalternate embodiments, the base member 2′ may also include a tamperevidence band, that may be similar to the band 6′, or any other suitabletamper evidence feature that engages the container to indicate whetherthe closure 1′ has been removed from the container. The skirt 7′ isshown as being cylindrical or having a circular cross section but inalternate embodiments, the skirt may have any suitable shape andcross-section such as, for example, square, rectangular, triangular,oval, etc. The skirt 7′ may have an opening forming a cavity so that theclosure 1′ can be removably engaged with a container. The cavity of theskirt 7′ may have any suitable features to affix the closure 1′ to thecontainer such as, for example, thread elements 39′. In alternateembodiments, the closure 1′ may be attached to the container in anysuitable manner such as, for example, with snaps, locking tabs and thelike. In other alternate embodiments, the base member 2′ may havecontact portions to provide seal(s) between the closure 1′ and thecontainer. In still other alternate embodiments, the crown member 5′ maybe removably engaged to the container while the base member 2′ remainsaffixed or is of unitary construction with the container.

Opposite the skirt 7′, the base member 2′ may also include a skirtextension 43′ extending longitudinally from the top face 12′ of the basemember 2′ towards the top of the closure 1′. The skirt extension 43′ isshown in the drawings as being cylindrical (e.g. with a circularcross-section) but in alternate embodiments, the skirt extension 43′ mayhave any suitable cross-sectional shape such as square, rectangular,triangular, oval, etc. The skirt extension 43′ may include a partiallyfrangible member 8′ having partially frangible segments 9′ withfrangement pathways 11′. The partially frangible segments 9′ may beinitially pierced by a frangement wedge 24′ of the crown member 5′ andfurther split by the continued advancement of the crown member 5′ in thelongitudinal direction of arrow A towards the face 12′ of the basemember 2′. Split segments 9′ of the frangible member 8′ may remainattached to the base member 2′ via a living hinge 10′ (See also FIG. 4)while not interfering with the release of the container contents throughthe closure 1′. In alternate embodiments, the partially frangiblesegments 9′ may be contained from being released into the contents ofthe container in any suitable manner. The skirt extension 43′ may alsoinclude a tamper evidence bead 13′ for retaining the tamper evidenceband 6′ as will be described below and a ramped surface 16′ which mayaid in the assembly of the closure 1′.

The skirt extension 43′ may contact a portion of the tap 3′ and/or otheralignment portion of the crown member 5′ and provide retention andguidance of the tap 3′ and crown member 5′ before, during and afteractuation. The inner surface of the skirt extension 43′ above thesurface 12′ of the base member 2′ may include ledges 19′ and rotationresistance features 17′ which may retain the crown member 5′ untildeliberate actuation. Grooves 41′ may guide the crown member 5′ duringthe engagement and piercing of the partially frangible member 8′. Thetap 3′ may also be retained by the ledges 19′ and may be kept fromunintentional rotation apart from the crown member 5′ due to the tapflange 21′ fitting within the channel 25′. In alternate embodiments,retention of the tap 3′ and crown member 5′ may be provided in anysuitable manner such as, for example, by snaps.

The tap 3′ may include a stopper 27′ for plugging the fluid releaseorifice 30′ of the crown member 5′. The stopper may be connected toflanges 21′ in any suitable manner such as, for example, by members 47.Before actuation the tap flanges 21′ may rest against ledges 19′. Duringactuation the tap 3′ and flanges 21′ may be rotated via the crown member5′ until the flanges 21′ are stopped by and aligned with channels 18′.The tap may be pushed in the direction of arrow A towards the surface12′ of the base member 2′ by surface 46 of the channel 25′ and/orsurface 45 of the crown member 5′. As the tap 3′ is moved in thedirection of arrow A, longitudinal grooves 18′ on the inner surface ofthe extension 43′ may guide the tap 3′. The tap flange 21′ may snap overthe tap snaps 20A and be retained by the grooves 20′ to prevent furtherlongitudinal movement of the tap 3′. In alternate embodiments,longitudinal movement of the tap 3′ after actuation may be employed inany suitable manner.

The crown or top member 5′ may include a top disc portion 31′ from whichan outer skirt 34′ and an inner crown guidance skirt 33′ extend. Thecrown 5′ may include an orifice 30′ for container content egress. Theouter skirt 34′ may include externally protruding features 32′ which mayimprove grip and reduce choking hazard, and an integrally moldedfrangible tamper evidence feature 6′ which extends below the skirt 34′.During assembly, the teeth 42′ of the frangible member 6′ engagecomplementary teeth 14′ of the base member 21. Tabs 35′ of the crown 5′may engage the recess 15′ so that tabs 35′ and contact pad 37′ of thebase member 2′ may resist axial load before actuation. In alternateembodiments, the axial load may be resisted in any suitable manner suchas, for example, by snaps, a frangible connection and the like.

The inner crown guidance skirt 33′ may include longitudinal ribs 23′, aretaining channel 25′ and frangement wedges 24′. The inner skirt 33′ isshown in the Figures as being cylindrical (e.g. with a circularcross-section) but in alternate embodiments, the inner skirt 33′ mayhave any suitable cross-sectional shape such as square, rectangular,triangular, oval, etc. The longitudinal ribs 23′ may extend from the topof the closure 1′ towards the bottom of the closure 1′. The ribs 23′ mayhave any suitable length for engaging the ledges 19′, recess 17′ andgrooves 41′ of the base member 21. Before actuation the ribs 23′ may beseated on the ledges 19′ inside the rotation resistance recess 17′. Therecess 17′ may prevent unintentional rotation of the crown member 5′.The ribs 23′ may engage longitudinal grooves 41′ in the base member 2′when the crown member 5′ is rotated and advanced longitudinally in thedirection of arrow A (towards the surface 12′ of the base member 2′) topuncture the frangible member 8′. The retaining channel 25′ may hold thebroken frangible segments 9′ open after actuation to allow egress of thecontainer contents. The retaining channel 25′ may also engage the tapflanges 21′ on the tap 3′ providing torque transfer to and alignmentwith the tap 3′ during actuation of the resealable pull-up closurefeature. In alternate embodiments, torque transfer and alignment of thetap 3′ may be provided in any suitable manner such as, for example, bytabs, friction, etc.

In operation, the resealable pull-up closure 1′ may be actuated from aninitial configuration, as can be seen in FIG. 9. Actuation may occur byrotating the crown 5′ until stopped by the contact of the ribs 23′ withthe base member groove 41′, and/or the contact of the tap flanges 21′with the base member groove 18′, which action also orients the tabs 35′with relieved surfaces 40′ over which tabs 35′ may longitudinally pass(FIG. 7, Block 700). The resistance of this rotation by engagement ofthe teeth 14′, 42′ subsequently shears the integrally molded ormechanically formed frangible webs 36′ which had connected the crown 5′and the tamper evidence feature 6′. The crown 5′ may be depressedlongitudinally by, for example, a uniform motion, by impact force or thelike in the direction of arrow A until physically stopped by the contactof the tap 3′ flanges 21′ with the partially frangible member 8′ (FIG.7, Block 710). This action drives the detached band 6′ over the bead 13′and the pads 42′ over the reliefs 40′ making both non-retractable totheir original position, as can be seen in FIG. 10. The force of drivingthe crown 5′ in the direction of arrow A causes the frangement wedges24′ to be driven through the partially frangible member 8′. Theretaining channel or notch 25′ may hold open the partially frangiblemember sections 9′.

The frangement wedges 24′ may be driven through the partially frangiblemember 8′, by for example, an impact force or uniform movement of thecrown 5′ (e.g. providing either a sudden or steady force sufficient tomove the crown and to fracture the partially frangible member), so thatthe partially frangible member 8′ is pierced by the frangement wedges24′ at frangement pathways 11′ and further split by the continuedadvancement of the inner skirt 33′ of the crown 5′ (FIG. 7, Block 720).Split segments 9′ of the partially frangible member 8′ may remainattached to the member 8′ by means of a flexible shoulder 10′, while notinterfering with the release of the container contents. It should berealized that driving the detached band 6′ over the bead 13′ andpiercing the partially frangible member 8′ may be performed in onemotion.

The contents of the container or package to which the closure assembly1′ is affixed may be released by axially retracting the crown 5′ untilstopped by the interaction of contact of pads 35′ with the underside ofthe teeth 14′, and the package is resealed by depressing the crown 5′until stopped (FIG. 7, Block 730).

It should be understood that the foregoing description is onlyillustrative of the embodiments. Various alternatives and modificationscan be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from theembodiments. Accordingly, the present embodiments are intended toembrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fallwithin the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method of opening a closure comprising: rotating a crown member ofa closure; depressing the crown member toward a base member of theclosure; and piercing at least one frangible segment of a partiallyfrangible member of the base member.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein acontent of a container is released through a passage resulting from atleast piercing the at least one frangible segment.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the resulting passage is resealable.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the crown member is rotated with respect to the basemember to allow form axial movement of the crown member.
 5. The methodof claim 4, wherein rotating the crown member disengages lockingmechanisms of the crown and base members.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein piercing the partially frangible member of the base membercomprises impacting the crown on a surface.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein a tap member is driven by the crown member to pierce thepartially frangible member.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the crownmember pierces the partially frangible member.
 9. A closure comprising:a crown member; a base member attached to the crown member, the basemember having a partially frangible member; and a tap member retained bythe crown member and base member; wherein the crown member is configuredto move axially with respect to the base member.
 10. The closure ofclaim 9, wherein the crown member is further configured to drive the tapmember through the partially frangible member.
 11. The closure of claim9, wherein the crown member is configured to pierce the partiallyfrangible member.
 12. The closure of claim 9, wherein the frangiblemember includes segments hingably attached to the base member.
 13. Theclosure of claim 9, wherein the crown member further comprises an outerfrangible or deformable skirt portion for minimizing unintentionalactuation of the crown member.
 14. The closure of claim 9, wherein askirt of the base member engages a container for removably attaching theclosure to the container, the skirt having contact portions to provideseal(s) between the closure and the container.
 15. The closure of claim9, wherein the closure is configured so the crown member remains engagedwith the base member after actuation to prevent a content of an attachedcontainer from escaping through the closure.
 16. The closure of claim 9,wherein the crown and base members each include locking mechanisms whichwhen engaged minimize unintentional actuation of the crown member.
 17. Aclosure comprising: a base member; and a crown member slidably engagedwith the base member, the crown member being configured to drive a tapmember through a partially frangible member of the base member.
 18. Thecontainer closure of claim 17, wherein the tap member is slidablyengaged within a cavity of the base member and retained by the crownmember, the tap member being configured to snap into a groove of thebase member for retaining the tap member upon actuation of the crown andtap members.
 19. The closure of claim 17, wherein the frangible memberincludes segments hingably attached to the base member.
 20. The closureof claim 17, wherein the crown member further comprises an outerfrangible or deformable skirt portion for minimizing unintentionalactuation of the crown member.
 21. The closure of claim 17, whereinaxial movement of the crown member after actuation interacts with thetap member to prevent or allow passage of the content of the attachedcontainer to pass through the closure.
 22. The closure of claim 17,wherein a skirt of the base member engages a container for removablyattaching the closure to the container, the skirt having contactportions to provide seal(s) between the closure and the container.